William "Bud" Byrne

Born in Muscatine, IA
Born on Nov 29, 1934
Departed on Nov 18, 2013

Memorial

William Joseph “Bud” Byrne, 78, of Cedar Rapids died on Monday, November 18, 2013 at his home in Cedar Rapids. Visitation will be held on Friday, November 22, 2013 from 4 to 7 PM at Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home. Funeral Mass will be held on Saturday, November 23, 2013 at 10:00 AM, with a visitation beginning an hour prior, at St. Jude Catholic Church with the Rev. Mark Reasoner. Burial will be held at Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery with military honors.

Bud married Laurel Diane Johnson on May 7, 1960 in Cedar Rapids. They have five children: Diane and Bill Byrne of Cedar Rapids; Shawn Byrne of Washington, D.C.; Patsy ( Mark) Steffen of Polk City, Iowa; and Mary Anne (Trevor) Clark of Oakbrook, Illinois; 13 grandchildren, Lacey (Jeremy) Hall of Milton, Florida; Immanuel Daugherty, Bryar and Mason Byrne all of Cedar Rapids; Sofia, Shawn and Sarah Byrne of California, Maryland; Patrick, Madie and Zach Steffen of Polk City, Iowa; Rachel, Nicole and Jack Clark of Oakbrook, Illinois; four great-grandchildren Malia, Camden, Taylen and Skyler Hall of Milton, Florida; and many special nieces and nephews. Bud was a wonderful and caring husband, father, grandfather and friend who will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his brothers, Jim and wife Dorothy; Bob and wife Patricia; Leo and Mick and a great grand daughter Angel Hall.

Bud was born November 29, 1934 (Thanksgiving Day) in Muscatine, Iowa. He was the fifth son of William and Winifred (O’Toole) Byrne. He graduated from Muscatine Catholic High School in 1953 and from St. Ambrose University, Davenport, Iowa in 1957. He served proudly in the United States Army (Counter Intelligence) from 1957 to 1960. Bud was an honest man who liked doing the right thing to help people during his more than 38 years as a Cedar Rapids police officer. He joined the Cedar Rapids Police Department in 1961 and proudly served until his retirement in 1999. His last 9 years on the department he was Chief of Police. Bud then worked for AKAL Security, which provides security for the Federal Courts, until he retired in 2011.

Bud was a member of Cedar Rapids Police Association, the Iowa State Police Association, the Iowa Police Officer’s Association and a life time member of the Iowa Polygraph Association.

Bud was active in sports, having played slow pitch for many years. He coached football in the Metro Youth league and St. Jude’s 7th and 8th grades. He coached girl’s softball in the Cedar Hill’s league and St. Jude’s 7th and 8th grades. Bud also coached a women’s slow pitch team in the city league for many years.

In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to St. Jude Catholic Church, Toys for Tots or Hospice of Mercy.